How to Install a Video Card in Your Computer

You can upgrade your computer’s video card easily — just install a new card in place of the old. Cards are particularly susceptible to static electricity, so tap your computer’s case to ground yourself before touching the card. Cards are also delicate, so don’t bend them. Handle them only by their edges. Also, those little silver dots on one side of the card can be sharp; don’t scratch yourself.

Turn off your PC, unplug it, and remove your computer’s case.

Your computer should have either a PCI-Express 16x or AGP slot for your card. The card won’t fit into the wrong slot, so you can’t go wrong. But don’t confuse your computer’s thin memory slots for its video card slot.